I have the same problem, and you -and I! are definitely NBU! I am so bloody fed up with having to buy adults' shoes for a 12 year old boy, and adults' clothes too. Do the manufacturers believe that children only go up to age 10 OR 5 foot, and then disappear? My DS is wearing adult clothes. He may be taller then me but he is still only a child.

I think that size 5 is the max size for "children's shoes and bigger sizes have VAT even if they are designed for school, however, the smaller children's sizes are the same price so it doesn't make sense.

I think some of you are missing the point a bit! I am not complaining that DD had to wear more expensive adult shoes at size 5½ AT ALL.

What I am saying is that Clarks sell a range of adults' shoes and a range of children's shoes that are virtually identical, except that the adult shoes seem to be better quality, which is why DD wanted them.

My point is that the adults' shoes are a penny cheaper!

Children's shoes are supposed to be VAT zero rated. If the adult shoes (including 20% VAT) are £39.99, then the children's shoes should be £33.33 by my calculations. Instead they are £40!

I have noticed this too. My DS is 9 and a 6.5 shoe. His shoes are suddenly cheaper (especially football boots) since moving into adult sizes and also a lot more to choose from. Strange I agree, but like you Minot complaining

My feet never quite made it to adult sizing but I usually upsize for width. I tried a pair of Clarks shoes a few years back but despite the extra bit of width, they were never particularly comfortable. My last pair of children's shoes are walking shoes that were comf, but wore out without major wear. Despite people's proclamations that I must be lucky not to hsve to pay VAT, there's usually little difference in price and childrens items tend to wear out significantly quicker so are a false economy. My 3 year old wears out of his Clarks shoes before he grows out of them. Unfortunately it is by far the most accessible shop.